Lacock: A Busy Interim Will Study Utility Bills, EMS, Healthcare Costs

Michael Shane Smith Photography for AARP Wyoming<br>

The end of the 2024 Legislative Session does not bring an end to AARP Wyoming's advocacy calendar - far from it. Between legislative sessions, our work is concentrated into a few efforts, primarily interim subcommittee work and our contributions to various boards and task forces that meet throughout the year.

On the side of interim work, we will follow the Corporations, Elections, and Political Subdivisions Committee as it discusses ways to make housing more affordable and its continued study of utility costs for the state's citizens. This includes ideas to tax power generated in the state and both used in Wyoming and outside the state while perhaps subsidizing in-state users so they don't see a difference in their power bill. The idea is still in its infancy.

We will also follow the Revenue Committee for property tax discussions, the Vulnerable Adult Task Force, and the Labor, Health, and Social Services Committee as they explore the idea of a Healthcare Authority. The Authority would be made up of groups (such as AARP) that work in healthcare and offer studies and recommendations on ways to increase access to healthcare while lowering prices.

You will also see AARP Wyoming active in the Governor's Healthcare Task Force as we continue the conversation around EMS (more on that later) and older adult transportation. For the last year and change, we have led a subcommittee Healthcare Task Force that has sought to find out everything from how we make it easier for older adults to get from here to there and, thus, age in their homes longer. We've got some ideas and look forward to sharing them with the Governor's Office and Lawmakers.

If you have ideas or experiences you want to share ways to help older adults with needed rides, Iím all ears. Write to: tlacock@aarp.org or call me at 307-432-5802.

Future Bleak for Ambulance Service Funding
One issue that isn't getting much movement from lawmakers is sustainability of Emergency Medical Services - in other words, making sure the state's ambulance services are funded. Talking to lawmakers about the issue doesn't offer much faith that something will change soon. Here's what I heard directly from legislators this session:

"EMS doesn't poll high enough for us to want to do anything."

"Until someone dies because an ambulance didn't get there in time and their family makes a stink, nothing will happen on this issue."

"I moved to Wyoming and knew I wouldn't have the services I did in other states. To me, that means I don't expect to have an ambulance come save me, and I don't want to pay for it."

Another lawmaker I spoke with lives in a bigger city in the Northeast part of the state. When asked about an ambulance district involving his community and more rural counties in the area, he replied, "Why should I pay for their ambulance?"

"We granted the ability to set up EMS districts so regions could pay for their own ambulance services last year. Until someone takes advantage of those districts, I'm not inclined to do anything more."

Those comments don't exactly give you faith in humanity. Nor do they make you think the state will be able to make substantive changes right away. While we know what various lawmakers think, this interim will see groups, including AARP Wyoming, try to determine public sentiment on the issue.

We'd love to learn more about how you feel about ambulance service. Feel free to send me a note at: tlacock@aarp.org.

Let's Talk Policy at GRT
If you fancy yourself a policy nerd, we have a place for you at AARP Wyoming. Each month during the interim, our Government Relations Team (GRT) volunteers to talk about legislative policy the last Thursday of the month at noon in Cheyenne. During the Legislative Session, we meet every Thursday to follow bills, discuss their impacts on older adults, and the state itself.

If you live in Cheyenne, you can join us at the office (First Tier Bank building downtown). If you are outside the Capitol City, we do offer a remote option to join us via Microsoft Teams or Zoom. There is no commitment to be at every meeting - simply drop in and out when you feel like it. Just let me know your email address (tlacock@aarp.org) so we can get you meeting schedules and topics.

In the interim, the GRT is going to educate itself by having monthly meetings where we engage lawmakers on specific topics. In the past, that has included Zoom calls with legislative subcommittee chairs on everything from property tax relief to utility bills. The group is free, and if you are in Cheyenne, there is generally lunch involved.